Strategic Portfolio Management: Higher Ed’s Path to Adaptive, Results-Driven Decision-Making

In today’s rapidly shifting higher education landscape, institutions are under more pressure than ever to align strategy with execution. Declining enrollments, evolving learner expectations, and the disruptive impact of technology demand new approaches to institutional planning and prioritization. Enter Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM): a discipline that will transform how colleges and universities make decisions at scale and at an increased pace of innovation. 

“The transition from traditional project portfolio management (PPM) to strategic portfolio management (SPM) marks a significant evolution in the way organizations align their execution of important work and larger investments with broader business strategies.”

– Peter Kestenholz, Forbes Technology Council 

From Project Lists to Strategic Leverage 

For decades, Project Portfolio Management (PPM) has helped institutions manage projects efficiently. But in today’s fast-changing environment, PPM often falls short—especially when projects are disconnected from strategy, lack visibility, or can’t keep up with shifting institutional priorities.  

According to a report by the Project Management Institute (PMI), only 58% of organizations fully understand the value of project management, and nearly one-third of projects fail to meet goals due to misalignment with strategic objectives. 

SPM fills this gap by connecting strategy, resources, and execution in real-time. Rather than managing projects in isolation, SPM enables colleges and universities to prioritize based on mission alignment, funding impact, and capacity constraints—while still maintaining agility. 

A Framework Grounded in Institutional Reality 

At Higher Digital, our approach to Strategic Portfolio Management is purpose-built for the complex, decentralized nature of higher education. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all frameworks. Instead, we help institutions build SPM practices that reflect their culture, governance, and strategic ambitions. 

Here’s how we help institutions operationalize strategy: 

  1. Clarify Strategic Priorities
    Identify and articulate institutional goals that can be measured and communicated clearly across leadership and teams. 
  2. Connect Resources to Strategy
    Align available funding, staffing, and time with your highest-impact initiatives. Make tradeoffs visible and intentional. 
  3. Create Transparency Across the Portfolio
    Provide real-time insight into project status, risk, and alignment—so boards, cabinets, and teams stay informed and empowered. 
  4. Support Multiple Ways of Working
    Whether Agile, waterfall, or somewhere in between, SPM accommodates the diverse delivery styles across departments and campuses. 
  5. Institutionalize Agility and Reflection
    Build feedback loops into the planning process to allow for continuous reprioritization and strategic learning. 

This isn’t just about better planning. It’s about enabling institutions to become more adaptive, more accountable, and more aligned with their mission—semester after semester. 

“Gartner defines Strategic Portfolio Management as the set of business capabilities, processes, and technologies required to align execution with strategy—and to continuously adapt as conditions change.” – Gartner, Strategic Portfolio Management Primer 

The Role of AI: Why SPM Is Now Essential 

    

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the higher education landscape—but most institutions are struggling with a critical question: How do we prioritize AI initiatives alongside everything else? 

This is where Strategic Portfolio Management becomes non-negotiable.  

SPM helps leadership teams: 

  • Prioritize AI thoughtfully alongside digital transformation, student success, and infrastructure goals 
  • Model tradeoffs and timelines for generative AI pilots, data governance, and faculty adoption 
  • Reallocate resources quickly as use cases evolve 
  • Avoid shiny object syndrome by connecting AI investments to mission-driven outcomes 

AI doesn’t replace the need for strategy—it makes it even more urgent. SPM ensures your institution is ready to act with clarity, focus, and speed. 

Why It Matters Now 

Strategic Portfolio Management isn’t a luxury—it’s becoming a necessity. 

  • 📈 30% increase in project success rates when SPM is adopted – Project Management Institute (PMI) 
  • 🎯 45% more likely to achieve strategic objectives – Gartner 
  • ⚠️ Only 29% of higher ed institutions report alignment between IT and academic strategies – EDUCAUSE 
  • 🔄 Institutions using enterprise-wide portfolio practices are 2x as likely to improve operational efficiency and collaboration – EDUCAUSE Review 

In a climate of shrinking budgets and rising expectations, higher education leaders need: 

  1. Transparent, aligned decision-making 
  2. Prioritization of high-impact initiatives 
  3. Agility to respond to external forces (AI, policy, demographics) 

SPM enables these capabilities—and restores confidence among boards, presidents, provosts, and CIOs alike. 

A Call to Action 

At Higher Digital, we believe that Strategic Portfolio Management is the missing link between strategy and results in higher ed. Whether you’re a president, provost, or CIO, adopting SPM isn’t just a tactical improvement—it’s a strategic imperative. 

Now is the time to move beyond isolated projects and disconnected plans. SPM can give your institution the clarity, agility, and alignment it needs to thrive in an age of constant change. 

Ready to learn more about how SPM can transform your institution? Schedule a consultation. 

•by Wayne Bovier